Tan Zhen, acting mayor of Hai'an, delivers a report on the municipal government's performance in 2020. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

The fifth session of the 16th Hai'an Municipal People's Congress took place at the city's municipal cultural and art center on Jan 15, with Tan Zhen, acting mayor of the county-level city administered by the larger metropolis of Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, delivering a report on the government's performance in 2020.

Facing the impact and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tan said Hai'an made major achievements in the establishment of a moderately prosperous society. China's government has a development goal of creating what is known as "a moderately prosperous society in all respects", or a Xiaokang society, through modernization and the elimination of poverty.

Last year, Hai'an's economy recorded an estimated GDP of 121.8 billion yuan ($18.8 billion), with year-on-year growth of 6.2 percent. With taxes and fees cut by 1.78 billion yuan, the general public budget posted revenue of 6.45 billion yuan, up by 3 percent.

Fixed-asset investment came in at 51.9 billion yuan, up 7 percent, 31.33 billion yuan of which was industrial investment that was 7.5 percent higher. Total retail sales of consumer goods hit 34.6 billion yuan, achieving stable growth. Per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents was 49,997 yuan and 24,987 yuan, rising by 4.5 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

The report also announced the main economic and social development targets for 2021. The growth rate of regional GDP is projected to be at least 7 percent, while general public budget revenue is seen hitting 6.8 billion yuan.

Per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents is expected to climb by 7 percent and 7.5 percent, while the urban registered unemployment rate will stay under 3 percent. Investment in research and development is projected to be higher by at least 2.73 percent.

In addition, Hai'an will also prioritize improvements to the environment, reductions to pollution and cuts to energy consumption.